Moorosi Tsiane
A Motimposo man, Thabo Khama, will spend the next three decades in prison for brutally killing his partner and the man he found her in bed with.
Justice Tšeliso Mokoko this week sentenced Khama to 30 years’ imprisonment for the double murder of his partner, Thandiwe Maloma, and her alleged lover, Phahamiso Lenela.
The sentence was handed down in the High Court after Khama pleaded guilty to both counts of murder.
The court heard that in the early hours of 23 January 2022, Khama viciously attacked the two victims after discovering them sleeping naked together in the home he shared with Ms Maloma.
According to evidence presented before the court, the events leading up to the killings began the previous day, 22 January 2022, when Khama went about his routine work as a mechanic.
Narrating his version of events, Khama said he started his day early and went to his parents’ home, where he had planned to assist with work on a septic tank.
“On that day, I woke up early and went to my parents’ house because it is not far from where we were living with Thandiwe. The plan was to help remove water from the septic tank so that construction could continue,” he told the court.
His day, however, took a different turn when a client, identified as Lesala, arrived. Khama said the man brought him food and later offered him alcohol, suggesting they abandon the work and hire someone else.
“We continued drinking, and while we were still drinking, another car from KK Finance arrived, asking that I fix it,” he said.
Khama told the court that he continued drinking throughout the day and only decided to return home at around 8pm, feeling tired and in need of rest.
Upon his return, he did not find Maloma at home. Instead, he found her at a neighbour’s place, where she was drinking with Lenela and others.
“I found Thandiwe at Mamatekane’s place, drinking with abuti Tholly (Lenela) and a few ladies. When I arrived, another lady, Ntsoaki, also came, and I sensed some tension from Thandiwe and Mamatekane,” he said.
Before he could stay longer, Khama said Lesala called him again, asking that they take his car for a test drive. The two later extended their outing to town, where they continued drinking into the night.
Khama told the court that he only returned home in the early hours of the following morning—only to be confronted with a scene that would trigger the fatal attack.
“When I got back, I found Thandiwe in bed with abuti Tholly. I couldn’t believe my eyes,” he said.
He initially sought help from the neighbour, Mamatekane, but she allegedly refused to open the door.
“I went back into the house. The next thing I remember is sitting next to Thandiwe, who was in pain, asking her how she could have done that to me. I asked if she slept with him, but she did not respond,” Khama said.
He later returned to the neighbour’s house and informed her of what had happened.
In mitigation, Khama’s lawyer, Advocate Nketsi Makhera, argued that his client had been heavily intoxicated at the time of the offence, which impaired his judgment.
“My Lord, the accused had been drinking the whole day, which inhibited his thinking capacity. He found his partner in a compromising position with someone he knew, and that contributed significantly to what happened,” said Adv Makhera.
He further argued that the killings were not premeditated and that Khama had attempted to seek help before the incident escalated. He also highlighted that Khama later handed himself over to the police and did not attempt to interfere with evidence.
The defence proposed a reduced sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment.
However, prosecutor, Adv Nthabiseng Nkoe, opposed the request, arguing that the murders were both avoidable and brutal.
“This incident was avoidable, My Lord. When the accused first went to seek help, he should have walked away. Instead, we now have two lives lost,” she said.
She further emphasised that the victims were defenceless at the time of the attack.
“He found them sleeping. They had no opportunity to defend themselves,” she added, noting that Maloma left behind young children.
In delivering judgment, Justice Mokoko condemned the killings as cruel and inhumane, highlighting both the severity of the injuries and remarks made by Khama following the attack.
“The message you conveyed suggests you killed them in a manner one would kill a dog. That is a very cruel thing to say,” Justice Mokoko remarked.
He further noted the extent of the violence, citing post-mortem findings presented in court.
“The court has considered the severity of the wounds. One of the deceased sustained approximately 11 wounds to the head, while the other suffered multiple injuries and fractures,” he said.
Justice Mokoko concluded that the gravity of the offence warranted a severe sentence.
“On count one, you are sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment. On count two, you are also sentenced to 30 years. The sentences will run concurrently,” he ruled.
